Israel has come under intense international scrutiny following its security cabinet’s approval of a controversial plan to take full control of Gaza City, a move that has drawn condemnation from world leaders, humanitarian organizations, and even factions within Israel itself.
Defence Minister Israel Katz defended the decision, dismissing foreign criticism and sanctions threats as ineffective. “Our enemies will find us as one strong, united fist that will strike them with great force,” Katz declared, underscoring Israel’s resolve to expand its military campaign.
Five-Pronged Strategy
The cabinet’s plan outlines five core objectives:
- Disarm Hamas
- Secure the release of all hostages
- Demilitarize the Gaza Strip
- Establish Israeli security control over the territory
- Create a new civil administration excluding both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority
Initial phases reportedly involve relocating up to one million residents from Gaza City to southern areas, followed by military operations in refugee camps and suspected hostage sites. A second offensive is expected to coincide with increased humanitarian aid.
The escalation has triggered sharp rebukes from the United Nations and several Western governments. A joint statement from the foreign ministers of the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia warned the plan would “aggravate” Gaza’s already “catastrophic” conditions and violate international law.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk cautioned that further military expansion would lead to “massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes.”
Other reactions included:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move “wrong” and warned of increased bloodshed.
- Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Israel to reconsider, citing humanitarian concerns.
- Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the plan as an attempt to “forcibly displace Palestinians.”
- China reiterated that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people.”
Germany’s decision to suspend arms exports to Israel prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accuse Berlin of “rewarding Hamas terrorism.”
Within Israel, the plan has sparked dissent. Military officials and hostage families have voiced alarm, fearing the offensive could endanger the estimated 20 hostages still alive in Gaza.
“The decision is leading toward a colossal catastrophe for both the hostages and our soldiers,” said the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.
The United States has taken a more reserved stance. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the decision to occupy Gaza was “pretty much up to Israel.”
The war, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken, has devastated Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed.
The UN estimates that 87% of Gaza is either militarized or under evacuation orders. Most of the 2.1 million residents are crammed into the remaining quarter of the territory, with many displaced multiple times.
The World Health Organization reported nearly 12,000 cases of acute malnutrition in children under five in July alone, calling it the worst month since the conflict began.
